In the first presidential debate, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris accused each other of fueling division in America. The candidates sparred over contentious issues such as migration, fracking, and Israel’s war on Gaza, with no live audience present. Millions of Americans watched from home as protesters outside the venue demanded Harris address the Gaza conflict.
Political observers weighed in on the debate, with presidential historian Barbara Perry noting that Harris needed to appeal to undecided voters and avoided any major missteps. Haitian-American leader Michelle Austin Pamies praised the discussion of debunked claims about Haitian immigrants, while protesters expressed anger over Harris’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Republican strategist John Feehery criticized the moderators for fact-checking Trump more than Harris, while Kelly Dittmar from Rutgers University praised Harris for baiting Trump into unraveling and engaging directly.
Despite Harris being seen as the victor of the debate by some, University of Michigan debate director Aaron Kall cautioned against overestimating its impact on the election. Shannon Smith from FracTracker Alliance highlighted the lack of political will from both parties to address the environmental and health effects of fracking, calling for leadership that prioritizes public health and safety.
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